Back Pain Questions and Answers Archive 2008 Part 8

This Q&A section is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical
condition. Any medical condition should be referred to a qualified
medical professional. The Q&A is now closed for new submissions.

Q: Aloha, just wanted to comment, as a MT, with lower and middle back
muscle pain that ended in the worlds biggest Spasm...your advise to
swim has brought the healing I needed within a week! I am 54, mother of
3, grandmother of 6...massage therapist, motorcycle rider etc...very
busy...and am so grateful to have stumbled on your site. Mahalo, Linda

Q: Hi, My name is Tommy and my question involves a medical
diagnosis of the lumbosacral spine of a unilateral fusion of the facets
L-4 & L-5. goes back to when I was discharged from Navy bootcamp.
They told me that this was probably a birth defect,and fusion could not
be caused by physical drill. Later I found out that I do not have any
fusion of the spine,but I have two crushed degenerated discs. My first
question is can you mistake one condition for the other? Question two,
because the found out I played Judo between the ages of 12-14, the
claimed this was the cause of the first injury. Is that possible for a
judoka of that age, with only two or so years to injury his back that
bad without ever knowing it. Thank you for your help! Thomas

Q: Dear Adam, I give you my apologies for such a long letter, but
I'm hoping the details are helpful. I am a 38-year-old female teacher.
In May of 2008, I used a Stepper very intensely (and without warmup)
for two-minute bursts 2-5 times per evening over a period of a week. I
would do this after getting up from my easy chair as I graded final
exams, just to get the blood flowing and to have a little exercise. I
had the stepper (from the info-mercial) for several months but had not
used it as planned. With summer coming, I wanted to start doing the DVD
workouts once the school year ended. However, I noticed a strange
muscular-type pain between my legs. I figured that I must have pulled
something and gave it time but went to doctors after it still felt
strange. I did not use the stepper again.

My OB GYN and a rectal area doctor seemed to agree that the
stepper was the cause--a sprain of sorts of the tissue. Both said that
it could take a very long time to heal since it is hard to rest that
area, as opposed to and ankle. I searched the net for people who had
similar stepper problems but found none. I am still seeing a chiro,
though, who feels that my lower back is out, sees that one of my legs
draws up, and that the muscles/ligaments are pulling or twisting at the
bottom of my "pelvic bowl" and causing the pain down there. He too,
showed me how the stepping could throw off my alignment. My lower back
does hurt and catch, and I do not like to stand for a long time, but I
would like to know what role the back has in my problem.

The chiro does the leg-over-to-each-side-and-twist to adjust my
lower back after using the table that drops my legs while I'm on my
stomach. I do not feel much difference with adjustments. He did have
me sit on something just slightly elevating my left buttock and had me
wear a heal insert in my left shoe for a while. This was supposed to
help naturally train my body to tweek me back correctly. I don't know.

It feels sore as if I have constantly been sitting on an
uncomfortable bicycle seat or astride a fence--right alongside my
private area and sometimes even including the sides of that. I can feel
it almost as a tightening just sitting there. It also literally feels
sore if I press the area. I have noticed that, although it is always
there, I may feel it intensify after going up steep stairs, climbing a
ladder, or stepping onto a chair.

I'm not wanting to work out intensely but just going about my
job, sitting, standing, walking, etc. are not what they used to be. I
still do my same basic activities. However, I can either do nothing and
still feel it, or I can be on my feet all day and still feel
it--sometimes a little more than others. I'm getting quite depressed
that any normal activity has lost its joy or even its routine since this
is always an issue on my mind.

Do you think that the chiro treatment is on track? Should I be
doing any strengthening stretches? What about massage? Could this be
at least partially psychosomatic? It is true that I can't believe that
this is still going on after something so simple! I took living
basically pain free for granted. It's hard to describe this to others
since I seem normal otherwise, but it is driving me crazy.
Thanks, Dory

Q: Hello, I am Rajaram from India. I came across your website
after searching on google after i entered "l5s1 disc bulge surgery and
tingling sensation now" and i
saw this website. Let me quickly tell you my past history:
I am 29 yrs old, had sudden back pain during August and consulted a
doctor
who asked me to take an MRI and here is what the MRI report says
Sacralisation of the L5 vertebra with rudimentary L5-S1 disc noted,
suggestive of transitional L5 vertebra. Rest of the vertebral bodies and
their posterios neural arches otherwise appear normal. Lumbar lordosis
is
obliterated due to paraspinal muscular spasm.
Dehydration with reduction in L4-5 disc height noted suggestive of
degenerative changes Massive posterocentral and bilateral paracentral
protrusion to extrusion of L4-5 disc noted pointing cranially,
compromising
the spinal canal, lateral recess, neural foramina and significantly
compressiong the lower cauda equina/bilateral exiting nerve roots at
L4-5
disc level (right side more than the left). *Mild posterocentral annular
bulge of L3-4 disc noted indenting the Thecal sac anteriorly. However no
evidence of narrowing of neural foramina/compression of the exiting
nerve
roots seen bilaterally at L3-4 disc level.Visualized lower dorsal spinal
cord, conus Medullaris and cauda equina nerve
roots appear normal. *Mild degenerative facetal arthrosis of L4-5 Facet
joints noted bilaterally.* The paraspinal soft tissues appear normal T2
weighted sagittal screening of te Whole spine reveals mild degenerative
cervical spondylosis with paraspinal muscular spasm. Mild posterocentral
bulge of C3-4, C4-5 C5-6 and C6-7 discs noted indenting the dura
anteriorly.
The cervical and dorsal spinal cord appear normal in size and signal
intensity.* MILD DEGENERATIVE LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS WITH PARASPINAL
MUSCULAR SPASM.
* TRANSITIONAL L5 VERTEBRA (SACRALISATION).
* MASSIVE POSTEROCENTRAL AND BILATERAL PARACENTRAL PROTRUSION TO
EXTRUSION
OF L4-5 DISC POINTING CRANIALLY, COMPROMISING THE SPINAL CANAL, LATERAL
RECESS, NEURAL FORAMINA AND SIGNIFICANTLY COMPRESSING THE LOWER CAUDA
EQUINA
/ BILATERAL EXITING NERVE ROOTS AT L4-5 DISC LEVEL (RIGHT SIDE MORE THAN
THE
LEFT)*I was shocked seeing this report and doctor advised me to undergo
surgery
and i had to do it on September second week. I was under rest for 10
weeks
and back to work since December first week. Let me type what i see here
on
the report i have after surgery:Under Ga patient is knee chest, by a 4cm
post midline incision, DLF was
incised paraspinal cobbed, L4-5 right flavectomy done, few mm of
inferior
border of L4 lamina was nibbled. There was a huge disc pushing the L5
root
which was removed in toto discectomy completed, wound washed and closed
with
80mg depometrol soaked in gelform placed in the L4-5 right inter laminar
region, wound closed.I got the tingling sensation all over my body since
2 days and i was kinda
scared. Iam very much depressed doctor, i cried and then woke up from
bed
now and started searching if there is anything that i can do to proceed
my
life.Can you please advise me how to proceed? Thanks for your time. Ram

Q: Hi, I am a 33yr. old female EMT. In Sept.06 I hurt my lower
back lifting a pt. I was sent to pain mang. then added physical therapy.
It was Aug.08 before I was sent to a spine specialist. The specialist
decided it was L4 that needed disc replacement after having a discogram.
I had this surgery done Oct.21,2008. Since having this surgery I still
am having lower back pain,left hip pain,left buttock down to my toes.
Before surgery it was lower back pain, left hip, left buttock to knee
pain. My doctor continues to say this is normal it means it is healing. I
am having serious doubts about this. Is this normal, how long till I
see improvement? I am no longer allowed to take prescription
medication...AND I AM STILL IN PAIN, MORE THAN WHEN WE STARTED! Any
suggestions???? Jessika

Q: Hello, I have had terrible foot and leg pain for almost a
year now, being told by many Dr's that it is being caused
by plantar fasciitis. I've had Mri's of my back, legs, and feet. The
Mri's showed no evidence of any problems. I just keep going from Dr to
Dr and the pain goes on, it's making my life unbearable. Can TMS
possibly be causing my pain? I have had an extreme amount of stress in
the past few year also. Thank You, Nancy

Q: I have Asthma, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - mainly hands,
Fibromyalgia/ME/CFS, Stroke in 2007 plus an old one which showed up on
the scans. Now I am getting a pain that literally grabs me, makes me
shriek with it's severity and is an absolute misery when I make certain
moves such as when getting in a car or if I have been on my feet for
about 30 minutes and I try to sit down - normally am in such low back
pain I absolutely MUST sit or fall down. I use crutches to get about
and also a wheelchair for any distance as I am as slow as a tortoise
these days. I am 52 and have had the Fibro since 1997 and the ME since
'99.
I saw an Ortho surgeon and he has recommended epidural injections as I
have a bulging L4/5. Can you suggest any exercises I could do that
might help me lower these excruciating spasmodic pains I am getting?
Liz

Q: I found your site very, very informative. In my case,
following an MRI, it has been determined that I have "a bulging (L5-S1)
slightly effacing on the neural foramen" as the report says.. as a
result of improperly lifting an object 12 weeks ago. My actual back pain
has gone but what remains are symptoms what you have described as
compressed nerve(s)with cramping and contractions in the calves, upper
arm, hand and numbness of the feet. Sitting makes these far worse so
obviously I avoid sitting.
Traditional treatments such as physio, etc. no longer seem to be
helping. I am a 45 year old male in other-wise very good physical
condition and health. To your knowledge, do these symptoms disappear
over time with proper care and good common sense and if so, how long
does it normally take? Thank you very much in advance for considering my
question. Donald

Q: Hi my name is Danielle and i want to know whether i should see
a doctor because for the last 4yrs i have had severe back pain and it
has got worse, i can't sit or stand for 4-5 minutes without me crying in
back pain, i already have scoliosis and i just wanted to know what
should i do plz help me. Danielle

Q: my wife was recently diagnosed with degenerative neck disease -
she seems to be now suffering from the nocebo effect. Her symptoms are
far worse and she is not sleeping.She won't do any strenuous physical
activity for fear of self-harm. I know if I raise this prospect of a
mental component to her pain directly with her that she will be angry
and accuse me of being unsympathetic. how do I go about resolving this?
paul

Q: I VALUE YOUR OPINION!!! I WROTE YOU BEFORE AND YOU SUGGESTED
TMS I FOUND VERY FEW PEOPLE SKILLED IN THIS AREA...HERE IS MY DEAL..MY
LIFE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS HAS BEEN IN ORDER, POLICE TOTAL VIOLATION OF
MYSELF AND MY GIRLFRIEND WITH A BIG DOLLAR COST TO UNDO A STUPID AND
POINTLESS TRAFFIC STOP..TWO DAY IN JAIL..THEN ATTYS..COURT..THEN..FULL
TIME COLLEGE CLASSES...THEN FEAR OF THE POLICE SUCH THAT I CHANGE WHERE I
DO OR DO NOT DRIVE TO AVOID THE PARANOIA AND FEAR OF JAIL, POLICE AND
THE 4800% HIGHER BLACK LAW INJUSTICE RATES THEN FOR NO BLACK..DURING
COLLEGE CLASSES IN GYM CLASS I PULLED MY C6 C7 VERTEBRAE DOING PULL
DOWNS..WENT TO MY CHIRO HIS ADJUSTMENT WAS VERY LOUD..SINCE THEN MY NECK
CAN NOT LAY FACE DOWN..EITHER SIDE DOWN..FRONT AND REAR ANY WAY MY HEAD
LAYS IS GRADUAL CONTINUAL PAIN..SOMA NO GOOD. ATIVAN OK BUT NOT FOR
LONG..I HAVE HAD BP OF 150/120 AND BEATING ARTERY IN MY RIGHT EAR..IT IS
REAL SCARY..ATIVAN CALMS IT..MY CARDIOLOGIST SAY NO PROBLEM BUT SOME OF
MY BLOOD WORK
IS OFF..WHY HE DID NOT RUN A CORTISOL AND FULL KIDNEY TEST????MY
NEUROSURGEON SAY 2MM BULGES ON MY CERVICALS..NOT SURGERY CANDIDATE HIS
IDEA GET PHYSICAL THERAPY..MY PRIMARY SAY GO TO A NEUROLOGIST..I SAID
THAT THE FIRST DAY I MET HER..THE NEUROSURGEON DID NOT GO OVER MY MRI
WITH ME WITH THE BIG LIGHTED BOX THAT DOCTORS USE TO REVIEW MRI
DATA..DOCTOR G SAYS THE MUSCLE HYPERTONICITY..NOT THE VERTEBRAE ARE THE
PROBLEM..BUT MUST PEOPLE ARE NOT MYOLOGIST THUS THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT
CLAM AND SHRIMP THEN HUMAN MUSCLE....IN YOUR OPINION IF YOU WERE ME WHAT
WOULD YOU THINK COULD CAUSE THE NECK TO BE TITE FOR WEEKS OF END???
TMS...PTSD...TMJ...ALCOHOL NEUROPATHY SINCE I DO DRING..CO2 OR CO LEVELS
SINCE I DO SMOKE...DISC BULGE...FIBROMYALGIA...OR AS THE NEUROSURGEON
SAYS CERVICAL NEURALGIA VAGUE YET IT DOES HAVE A DEFINITION...I FEEL
LIKE DOCTOR HOUSE ON TV..EVERYTHING I THINK IT IS NEVER REALLY FITS AS
THE CORRECT DIAGNOSIS...ARTHRITIS...INTENSE STRESS...PAST LIFE..LSD
FLASH BACK SOMATIC???? EVERY ANSWER SHOW TEN MORE QUESTIONS.. I KNOW YOU
ARE SMARTER!!! I VALUE YOU DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT OF MY MYSTERY...THE
ONE THING THAT IS MOST TANGIBLE IS MY C7 IS STRANGE IN SHAPE SOME HOW
BIGGER ODD COMPARED TO OTHER VERTEBRAE....INTO YOUR HAND I COMMENT MY
DIAGNOSIS... DAVID

COMMENT: crushed vertabrae two thirds at l5 and the doctor said
he would use a z plate. be fore surgery i asked if plate would move and
he said no, almost a year later before releasing me he blurted out in
anger that i had moved and was silent after that.then no doctor would
touch me or admit to any wrong doing. now i live with the pain with
many intervals of bed rest. Jeff

Q: Hello, In November, I had a problem with three bulging discs. I
spent a day in the hospital and was given strong pain relievers and
anti-inflammatory drugs. I went to a chiropractor the next day and he
has made me straight again,(I go three times a week and am down to two
now.) but, one day a few weeks later I was trying to roll over in bed
and experienced great pain in the middle of my butt cheek. This pain has
stayed with me for about 5 weeks now and hurts EVERY time I roll over
in bed and goes down my leg to the back of my knee. It used to only hurt
at night in bed, but now reminds me that it is there all day long. My
chiropractor stretches the muscle and I do stretches at home too, but it
is still hanging on.My back feels 10,000 times better, but this pain is
driving me nuts. I have also tried a medrol dose pak and was pain free
for 1 day. I am going to have a deep tissue massage tomorrow. Is there
anything else I can do? The stretches I do don't make a difference at
all. Help!!! Debbie

Q: gday.my name is mark. i've always been extremely athletic and
strong my whole life playing everything from footy to bball, tennis,
surfing, athletics,lifesaving etc etc. Unfortunately i've had strong to
extreme pain for nearly 5 years now in my lower back (i am now 19 yrs
old). i started getting it after overly hyper extending playing bball
when i was 15, since then i've had huge downs with amazing pain,
developed massive muscle imbalances (extreme lordosis: weak bum and
abs)which has literally changed my body, i appear fit and athletic yet i
constantly battle to even walk properly without getting pain:it seems
impossible. I cant run, i cant stand, sit, lie down, i cant bloody exist
without the pain.
I've seen everyone from chiropractors to physio's to massage therapists,
even psychological treatment, sometimes they help yet it takes only a
short while of standing or sitting before the pain intensifies once
more. i do so many exercises to increase only core and leg strength, i'm
ten times more flexible now than i was before the pain began, yet the
pain remains. i know my glutes are still to weak and my lumbar region is
still jarring. Yet it just doesn't seem to get better, EVER. I wake up
and crack my back(deep thudding cracks), i stand up and crack more, i
concentrate on standing properly constantly, i cant sitdown, i must lie
down after standing for a short while. i can't work with it, play, no
more sports, i have to stay at home and stretch instead of hanging with
mates etc im sure you know. I need help. I'm living the best years of my
life in pain, it literally ruins everything. Any advice is very much
appreciated,
thank you sincerely for your time mark

Q: Sensei, I have a question, What kind of information on mental
healing is in your book? I'm interested in the physical healing but I
also need the mental healing as well. Any information would be great.
Cory

Q: Hi Adam, It has been a full year that I am pain free after
first discovering your site and reading your book. It is the best
holiday gift I have ever received. Continuing thanks forever and Happy
Holidays to you, Samuel

Q: Dear Sensei, i'm 37 years old, healthy, not overweight, and
pretty active. Until recently I used to run, ride horses and scuba dive a
lot. Over the years ive had a mild backache, usually after prolonged
periods of sitting. Pretty common, as i work on a desk and am a
workaholic. I should have just let it be. I went to my family doctor and
she had an x-ray made. The x-ray showed nothing, and she advised me to
walk more. So I did, but it made my problems actually worse. I was to
PT, but again without any improvement, and i felt it made it worse as
well. So about 2 months ago I had an MRI made. The MRI again showed
nothing serious, but it did show 'moderate osteoarthritis' whatever
moderate means. It also showed a cyst, but it was all normal i was told.
I had no possibility to talk to the person interpreting the MRI, and I
cant interpret it myself of course. So the conclusion was that my pain
was caused by osteoarthritis.

Now i'm probably a poster child for psychological pain, as within
2 weeks from that diagnosis, I started to develop more serious pains
after I tried more walking again. The pain moved outwards from my lower
spine to the top of my hips, a few inches to the side of my spine, and
went from dull pain to sharp pain. I now have a hard time standing for
more than 15 minutes, and walking is also quite painful. I have good
days and bad days, which seem to go in a perfect sinus wave. I've
noticed that my body is extremely tense and stressed. My glute muscles
are constantly tense. I can let them go if I focus, but if I do i feel
less secure standing. Within moments of not focusing they're tense
again, fully tightened. Not only my glute muscles, but many others are
tense as well. My whole back feels stiff, and my arms are always tight
as well. I was told to try NSAIDs, so ive tried a few, but they seem to
have literally no effect.

My mind is telling me that i'm causing most of the problems
myself. But it's very hard to accept and I don't know where to go from
here. I have made an appointment with an osteopath, to see if that
brings relieve, but my biggest fear is that I will go from one treatment
to the next, endlessly, for the next 30 years. Any advice is welcome.
Cor

Q: I had a 3 level Dynesys operation in September 2007, I am
currently awaiting approval from the insurance company to have it
removed. They did L3-S1 levels. I fell down stairs and herniated those 3
disks. I have not had a whole lot of help with the pain in my back, in
fact my legs feel rather weak a lot of the time, which the surgeon says
could be from the Dynesys system or could be the L5-S1 disk as it shows a
herniation on it still. The L3-4 and L4-5 show signs of healing so I
guess that is good. I would just like to be out of pain without meds...
But I am starting to wonder if that is even possible.
Anyhow thanks for the site, its been useful for me :)
Namaste, Melanie

Q: how did you cure your back and neck pains etc, i have the same
symptoms that you described but i do not know how to overcome this
problem. Many thanks Chloe

Q: good day my name is chantelle and i had a Discectomy 6 yrs
ago, i have since then never gone without pain, i went to the doctor
today and had a MRI scan done and this was part of the result:

"there is a prominent signal loss in the L5 disc with high signal
intensity noted in the peripheral annulus at L4/5 level"
"There is a broad based L4/5 disc prolapse with central canal narrowing
as well as narrowing of the lateral recesses bilaterally" "There is also
facet arthrosis present which also contributes to the L4/5 Stenosis"
what does all of this mean?
Chantelle

Q: whenever i am active or lift something, i experience chest and
back pains from the center my back around my right side to the center
of my chest. why>????????? Kristina

Q: Hello there, I have stumbled across this site looking for
answers about my back. I have heard about the mind creating pain and it
is a very real possibility for me. I will tell a short version of
everything and would appreciate any advise.
I injured my back about 21/2 years ago lifting a big piece of wood
improperly and could not get to a chiropractor for about 3 weeks. i just
took alot of ibuprofen and kept working. After that and 8 different
chiropractors my back would not stay in place longer than 2
days...usually would be out again the next morning. Rolfing treatment
was next, gave up after 10. I did get an xray taken but nothing else.I
then found an excellent osteopathy doctor that managed to get my back in
line and stay there. That was over a year ago. The problem is that my
back still spasms alot. I have been weight training for about 7 years.
Before my injury i could deadlift 325lbs so i did have some muscle. I
have continued weight training because it provides relief and if i don't
go to the gym, i hurt. Just recently I have started deadlifts again, of
course with lighter weight and will try to build muscle again in my
lower back. I eat well and am in great shape. i'm a 43 year old woman. 8
years ago I left an extremely abusive relationship of 8 years. He had
drugged me and things happened that i don't remember. My question is,
what can I do to stop my back from giving me grief? I even tried healing
touch as well as a couple other strange things. What about hypnosis?
I'm open to suggestions. Rose

Q: 16 years ago I came off a waterslide wrong that inverted my
back in the thoracic area (T5-7). I've had two kids since then and as
I've gotten older that injury has gotten slowly to the point now that I
have trouble in my lower lumbar area & sciatic, down to my legs
& feet - numbness & tingling, not being able to keep my balance
very well. The past 2-3 yrs the pain has begun to severely affect my
upper to the shoulders. I 've always had large breasts, but even they
feel painful as tho I have a case of mastitis. The pain wraps around my
my chest/abdomen, feeling squeezed & bruised badly, especially when I
remove the bra. I had pneumonia earlier this year after an aneurysm
surgery in March, had that pneumonia from March till July, was on bed
rest for near two weeks. Has left my chest feeling tight & with a
sort of tickling feeling down along the left side of my trachea. Anyhow,
the pain has gotten so bad that having to wear a bra causes pain, the
weight ya know. my ribs feel ever so
bruised uo & add insult to injury I'm now getting bladder/kidney
infections with yeast infections at same time - means more useless pain
meds & antibiotics and get told again that I'm a Hypochondriac like
they did before they finally found the aneurysm growing behind the left
eye. Was told 5 yrs ago by a supposed specialist in Grand Forks that all
I was nothing more than fibromyalgia - I don't care what it is but how
do we fix if it. I do not want to have to stop teaching my students.
Within this week I have begun to lose some bladder control regardless if
I've had something to drink or not. Stomach feels rotten, hard enough
to crap.It's when I get so short of breathe because the imagine band
around my middle is hugging me too tight. Was told the neurosurgeon may
ask me to have a breast reduction. Please share any thoughts at even if
you know a super dr in MN, ND, SD, or IA, NE.. We are down near to
desperate. the pills are useless. The injections worked for 3-4 months
but insurance
won't pay for the injections anymore. Chiro & massage therapy hurt
so damn bad I lay there & cry while they do their work. It plays
havoc with my depression & the stress on my family. Please do you
think you may have some ideas or help, even the name of a doctor can be
helpful. Thank you so much.......... blessings, Shelly

Q: i have achondroplasia and symptomatic spinal stenosis. why
is it that i have my mobility but am always in pain, tingleness, etc. I
have my strength but have severe spinal stenosis of cervical thoracic
and lumbar. With such medical evidence, how is it that I still have my
mobility and can move around as I do? Maria

Q: My husband was diagnosed with a ruptured disc in L5 at least 5
yrs ago. Cause unknown. Its actually pressing on the spinal cord. When
his leg started to go numb he quit his factory job. The doctor told him
he needed surgery or he will damage his spine and when he cant go to the
toilet anymore he will need emergency surgery. However, I have always
begged him not to have the surgery, as I have read that most result in
needing the same surgery again within 2yrs. I also don't trust doctors
taking risks around the spinal cord. Its now better than it was but he
still has almost constant pain and numbness. His leg pain is gone at
least. But now he has swelling and soreness below his stomach (around
the bladder). Maybe related? He still wants surgery just to get it over
with. I understand his pain and his worry but I don't want it to go
wrong. Does his back pain sound serious enough to require surgery? Is
there other options? Sonya

Q: Hey, I was just wondering if you could tell me what could be
wrong? For about a week or two I have been feeling alot of pressure in
my back mostly in the middle to higher but always right by my spine.
there is a long muscle or something that is as far as i can feel. it
kind of feels like a long cylinder shaped muscle on both sides right
along the vertebra. it is a continuous pressure type pain have but it
gets a little worst every day and today it hurts so bad it gives me the
chills. but do i need to go to a doctor or a chiropractor or what? I
thought most people who have back problems was a little older that me I
am only 20 yrs. Then i thought it was because my 17 month old little
girl was sleeping in the bed with me but she has been sleeping in her
bed and it is still getting worse. Kristen

Q: Dear Sensei, I'm a 18 year old guy who was diagnosed with
lumbar disc degeneration about 10 months ago in one of my lower back
discs (sorry would be able to find out exactly which one but am not sure
off the top of my head). I played several sports but now really
struggle due to the pain and the fear of making it worse. I really want
to keep going to the gym, running and just doing what i used to but the
doctor i am currently seeing has told me i am not to do anything in the
way of exercise beside walking in water (about the most boring thing i
have ever done!) Not only that, but i have plans to travel to Australia
which he says would be a bad idea! I understand your back pain got
better but only at the age of 37. After reading your story i think i
have a similar condition to yours. I would really appreciate it if you
could give me some advice on a way forward and would do pretty much
anything to get back on the sports field!! thanks alot, Guy

Q: I could tell you volumes about my spine - mainly lower back
and neck. Bulging discs, facet syndrome, stenosis, arthritis,
spondylolisthesis, reverse curvature and more. It's been going on and
off, mostly on, since I first hurt my back in a dance concert 43 years
ago. At the beginning I had a back brace, injections and physical
therapy. Nothing helped. AFter that I started chiropractic which helped
maintain things, but I have never been able to hold the adjustments more
than a few hours. 10 years ago I was hit in the back by a heavy
service door and my SI joint started hurting a lot. I refused
injections, took Aleve, did my own therapeutic Yoga practice and
continued with chiropractic at least 3x a week. Then the chiropractor
changed to an "open office" style. Instead of 1 patient at a time, there
were several adjusting tables and traction units in the same room.
People came and went, including family members. Two years ago my
daughter playfully jumped on my legs while I was on a
chiropractor's table. Since then my SI joint has not stopped hurting -
not for a moment for one single day. Although some indications of the
previously mentioned conditions above show on (many) x-rays and mri's,
the reports don't explain the extent to which I experience pain. Only
one person has read the reports in such a way that explains pain and
their advice was not to do much of anything physical, except walking, A
little walking is OK. More and it's very painful. Sleeping is torture.
Some chiropractors have actually made things worse when do muscle
testing. One chiropractor tried several techniques which actually hurt
me more, including injuring neck ligaments whereby I could not hold my
head erect for 6 weeks and now every time the car hits a pothole my neck
goes out. I keep myself very busy so as not to think dwell on the
pain. Easy going exercise and my own approach to adapting Yoga helps (
and has helped many others as well). Yet any kind of more strenuous
exercise, the
kind that helps maintain weight and strength hurts, usually
immediately, if not soon after. I've seen so many kinds healers and
have felt some relief here and there for a few hours, but one bump, a
heavy door, lifting (even correctly) - and it's back again. I've taken
herbs and other supplements to support ligaments and diet and having a
"pitta" predominant dosha, do not tolerate them well. I am not
depressed, I am not manipulating pain for attention (wouldn't work if I
did) and I am very frustrated and coping with constant pain is tiring.
I'm not a candidate for the decompression table, it's not in my head,
and I am open physically, mentally and spiritually. Anything you can
suggest would be greatly appreciated. Nina

Q: Hi, I am 26 years. About 3 months ago, I threw a party at my
place, and the next day I started feeling discomfort in my back which
was growing day by day. I checked with a GP who gave a muscle relaxant
injection and few medication. But it wasn't of much use. By searching
the net, I found your site which helped me describe my pain as
coccydynia. The knowledge therapy helped a lot, but the pain was still
there, and I visited a Ortho, had a x-ray taken. The doc said it was
coccyx pain, and gave , me medication(pain killer, muscle relaxant.) and
asked me to take hot water massages and sit on the plastic cushion. I
did and i was feeling better. But once I stop the medication, I feel the
pain again, though not so severe. I am unable to sit for long, and if I
do work, the pain comes back. I am afraid to go back to the doc, as he
had suggested steroid injection in the bone, or manipulation. I don't
wanna become an addict to medication either. I am at my wit's end given
that I have 2 young kids to
look after too. Do u think, waiting for few more days and continuing
with hot water will help, and heal by itself. Please do reply. Thank
you. Farah

Q: Hi Adam, I have terrible SI joint pain on the right side and
hip pain, a little pain on the left and both legs and feet have pain,
tingling numbness in legs and feet etc pins and needles under both feet.
I have had mri scan which said facet disease, seen physios, osteopath,
chiropractor, about 20 times. He said SI joint dysfunction. He also
said it doesn't really go away. Ive Also seen a surgeon, He said i have
a few bulging discs but they are not the problem, that facet disease
is. Ive been told i can have injections. This has been since the
beginning of the year. Now my mid back feels very stiff. The pain moves
into left SI joint but it never leaves my right side no matter what i
do,whether resting or walking. even sleeping its there all the time. I
downloaded your book, and that was what made me think perhaps i've got
this. I have read Dr Sarno's books, healing back pain, mind and body
prescription. Ive watched his dvd as well. I live in the UK. My
question Adam is because my pain is there in SI joint and hip all the
time, is it still PIPS as when reading the books i understood that the
pain changes and goes somewhere different, so that made me a little
unsure. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks Rose

Q: Dear Sir, I want to be brief but this is my story. I have had
intermittent back pain for 3 years. I was diagnosed with a herniated
disc. It has since subsided but it comes back in various forms. It is
strange how it moves around. Moreover, I have developed fasiculations
in my lower legs. A neurologists has dismissed them as they are now
ongoing for 2 years. I have recently, for the past 2 months, been
suffering now with pain in both my trapezoids. At first I thought maybe
it was from the lipitor I was recently prescribed but now I am thinking
there is something else going on. I am certainly anxious and the truth
is I know now more than ever that my problems must be from oxygen
deprivation. But here is my question: Is is possible that oxygen
deprivation can be the cause of the fasiculations in my legs? Thank
you, Ed

Q: I'm wondering if u can give me any information a friend,
Jason, referred me to you, My symptoms are neck pain c-6/7 slight disc
bulge t-4/5 disc herniation L-4 mild scoliosis. I was told before it is
the result of psychosomatic, however i was hit on the top of the head
with a hatch on a tank. I have exhausted all non-surgical options
possible. I was told that i can have complications if i have
surgery....I was wondering if you can give me any insight on the idea
the doctors said I have a 60% chance that the symptoms could go away.
Just basically is there any means to work this out and do you think i
should get the Surgery. Andrew

Q: Hi Adam, I recovered from my sciatica by putting myself into
traction as i have done on other occasions & along with 3 months
gym/pool therapy have been working on building up my core muscles. So
far so good. Both my Specialist & my Osteopath were supportive of my
use of 'Home Traction'. It really is an undervalued help for pinched
nerves.If you wish to know more on how i do my own traction just ask.
I'd be happy to share it with you. cheers, Rod

Q: Hey I appreciate all you are doing and your site is great, and
I know you said knowledge therapy would be best but I have another
question I hope im not bothering you. My physical therapist everytime I
go all the muscles in my back and right buttock are tight and might be
causing problems in the back she was telling me and the hip and back
pain are not changing...I was wondering what you think about an
exploratory surgery of the hip and lower back if i should request it.
Jason

Q: Hi, I really like your site and find it very good for
information. In India, healthcare is not easy to find and some
information is old and not useful. Thank you, Gorbal

Q: hello my name is Anthony. i have severe lower back pain that
highest pain meds wont work other than make you a drug addict which i
hate!!!!!!!!!!!!! please advise whether we are on same page. thanks

Q: My mum slipped on the ice the and fell flat on her back, she
could not move and she had to be taken to hospital by ambulance she was
discharged but every time she moves her middle back or lat muscles go
into spasm and she is in a great deal of pain can any one suggest
anything that may help Alex

Comment: Hi Sensei, Just wanted to wish you a happy holiday
season. I am still pain free and recommend your site and book to all I
meet. Thanks for everything! Teddy

Q: I have a chronic, dull irritating ache just under my front
right rib cage (abdomen) with the ache radiating to the back for
approximately a year with the ache getting m ore severe after drinking
excessive red wine. When I lay off the red wine the ache seems to
subside somewhat. Often when the ache is more severe it is exacerbated
by movement, it feels like an internal organ is rubbing the inside of my
rib cage? I have made an appoint with a General GI at Hopkins and that
isn't until February? My primary care has completed a sonogram which
produced negative results. Your thoughts? Daniel

Q: Hello. I just submitted my story. I'm a 22 year old who was
injured playing D1 lacrosse in undergrad. I have been diagnosed with
bilateral facet joint syndrome from L2-L3 to L5-SI (confirmed by steroid
and novocain injections). I have consistent stabbing pain in my lower
back and cannot sit for more than 45 minutes, walk for more than 30
minutes, or stand still for more than 15 minutes without feeling severe
pain and needed to lay down. I consider myself to have a pretty high
tolerance for pain and was always very active. I have had radio
frequency ablation on both sides (at separate times). This procedure
worked on the left side (first side done) almost completely (slight
tenderness at one of the lower joints), but not on the right at all. The
doctors seemed stumped as this has "never happened to them before." I
was wondering if you have ever heard of this happening to anyone? Laura

Q: I have had back pain lower and upper for about a year now. I
have had steroid shots in both shoulders for years and have been told
that I need surgery on both shoulders. The pain in my back has gotten
worse and my ribs feel like it hurts to breath at times. Just recently
my tail bone has been hurting and is tender to the touch. I hate going
to the doctor because I feel like because of all of the addiction to
pain medication that they don't take me seriously. I think I can handle
the pain but I'm concerned that it may be a more serious condition. Any
information would be greatly appreciated. Paige

Comment: I am a former college soccer player and still an
athlete. I do many different types of athletic activities and because
of that my back always has general soreness. My doctor told me ice and
heat would be the best way to deal with it. I bought a heating pad and
also a big ice pack. It was such a pain to take care of the injury
because I had to take an hour out of my day to lay down and do twenty on
twenty off. My friend referred me to a product. It is a product that
Michael Jordan used when he played for the bulls. It is a hot and cold
therapy product that you can wear over your cloths and be mobile with.
The product has really changed my life and I just wanted to share that
with you guys. I was wondering if you guys have used it and if you did
what do you think. It has really made my life easier so I wanted to
share my story with everyone. Josh

Q: i am at the end of my tether. 3 years ago i suffered my first
bout of muscle spasm/contraction in my middle/lower back near spine. i
coped with that,then i fell and pulled my right shoulder and had trapped
nerve which also gave me a headache from neck over head into left eye.
osteopathy helped but i have been experiencing agony in middle/lower
muscle near spine and grizzle like lumps by left shoulder blade 4 times
and am becoming scared of the pain, i cannot take oral painkillers as
they effect my stomach but this time was given amitryptilline 25mg which
i stupidly took 4 and lost a day just to get rid of the pain i tried
ice packs,tens machines just about everything.the osteopath has told me
he can no longer treat me as it needs further investigation and i now
have an appointment to see my gp on monday so he can assess me and refer
to a specialist. i have always had a high threshold for pain but i have
nothing left i cannot stand this pain that comes every few months now.
any advice would be gratefully received. thank you. C

Comment: 4 weeks ago had a pain about 4" down from my right
shoulder. I have been to 3 neurologist. The last one now has given me 3
injections of steroids every two weeks. The fist two lasted about 5 or 6
days. The third one has done better but the pain still comes an goes.
The Orthopedic doctor said it was a pinched nerve. My right arm is kinda
sore and my right hand is not numb but has very little strength. The
reason I am on Disability from work because I can't sit an work computer
for 8 hours. The pain moves from the hand up my arm to the spot below
my shoulder blade. Don't want surgery cause I heard they cut your throat
below your jaw bone to work on your vertebrae in your back??? I was
thinking about maybe laser would be a solution. Just kinda at a dead in
now. Tommy Dallas Texas thanks

Q: I've been having muscular back pain for years. It used to come
and go and now it doesn't go. I get it from sitting at my desk and from
cooking which tells me it's the bending that causes it. I have to take
pills everyday and I'm tired of it. Would a cortisone shot help me?
Juell

Q: This is Dhaval from Vadodara,Gujarat. my age is just 24. I
just passed my M.Sc. Applied Physics course and I' m working as field
engineer in one company. One day after coming from site I just started
after some what 6 month with push ups and my back started paining from
very next day. And I showed this problem to one orthopaedic surgeon, he
suggested me for X-ray, From X-ray he detected that I'm suffering from
LUMBER SPONDYOSIS. So I'm also taking some pressure therapy. Please
suggest me some better treatment, actually I want to do many things in
my life and I don't want to live paralyzed life. Dhaval

Q: I am in my fifties and I do have Lupus, I had a backache but
just thought it was one of those things. Went visiting when I was there
it got a lot worse then we had to drive back for 1 and half hours. I
could hardly get out of the car and was in intense pain. Called out a
doctor who said the it was a muscle spasm he prescribed pain killers and
I was off work for 2 weeks although it didn't really go away when I
went back to work were I work in an office. I did go to see a physio a
couple of weeks ago, were he could feel the muscle hadn't gone back
completely so he showed me some exercises. After this it got a lot
worse over a couple of days and then very painful I had to have more
time off work. Now I am not sure what to do for the best should I go
back for more physio. Would welcome any advice. Thanks, Pam

Q: My 14 yr. old son was diagnosed with NF1 last year and we
through MRI's we found he has two tumors, one of which is located near
the lower spine which is causing him pain. His Dr. just recently
prescribed Gabapentin, which is causing some dizziness and drowsiness.
Do you have any suggestions on how to relieve his pain without the use
of drugs?? Joanne

Q: Hello, I started having pain in my neck (after surgery to
remove a benign tumor from my chest). About 6 mos later I rode the city
bus for several mo. and started getting migraines, and sever pain where
your skull meets your spine. I have motion sickness, dizziness, and the
symptoms of migraine without the head ache as well. (light and sound
sensitivities, vision disturbances). It all started in 1996. Then in
1999 I was doing a lot of walking and started having pain in my tail
bone area, and a burning sensation in the flesh around it. Some time ago
(15 yrs?) I remember having the feeling that I could barely lift my
legs when trying to run, and have had that happen 1-2 times since. Then
started having the sharp poke feeling in the rump, and occasionally a
streak down the back of my right leg, and pain in my feet that doesn't
last long, thank goodness. Now I also have lower back pain (ache). I am
also having the numbing sensation in my hands,and the end of my nose,
the tingling
sensation above my left ear down into the ear drum, and it feels like
there is a hair tickling my lip, cheek area (all of which come and go). I
also am plagued with a hoarseness in my voice, and an occasional slow
tongue feeling, tingling in both cheeks when I talk, and even have
trouble swallowing at times.
I have been on disability since 1996, and therefore have Medicare, and
Medicaid. I've had MANY tests, beginning with Myastina Gravis as the
tumor was in my thymus gland, but was not positive. I have budging discs
in my neck, a slight Arnold Charai malformation in my skull,
degeneration in my back, blood work suspicious for Lupus, they have
diagnosed me with fibromyalgia (tho I don't have all the trigger points)
and have taken and endless variety of meds. I don't have depression,
and don't take anything that messes with my thinking. (I want to know
when I'm not happy.) Do you have any input that can help me? It seems
like I don't have any answers, and am given meds, and therapy as the
answer. Therapy doesn't seem to help, tho it feels good to get the
exercise. Too much seems to hurt though. sigh, Becky

Q: Hi, I like your web site and I would like to share my story
with the public at large and also hopefully get some feedback that will
be better than what "professionals" have provided. What's is most
frustrating is that with my condition, I can't define exactly what
happened. But as it is, I cannot sit or stand for more than 2 or 3
minutes before my lumbar starts numbing and tensing up with pain making
it impossible to stay in any kind of prolonged position. The disturbing
part of the whole fiasco is that I never, ever had any back problems
until I went to a chiropractor who used some kind of hand-held thumping
device/mechanism to realign/adjust the spine. Now looking back it seems
partially my fault for taking such an indirect approach for a muscle
that was not healing in my back that was way far away from my spine. At
any rate, I stopped going to this guy and subsequently the onset of
this condition I have now began to take its hideous hold. I am sure
that bowling three times a
week, basketball twice a week and squats did not help the matter
either. Since then I have been to a regular chiropractor who takes the
traditional alignment approach which was fairly therapeutic but did not
help me at all in the long run. I just finished with a physical therapy
program that had me stretching and doing ab which hasn't really helped.
I was going to school and was in class 9 hours a day so it has been
hellish to say the least. At an impasse right now with frustration
level unmeasurable. I went to a "spinal institute" and waited two hours
for some guy to tell me the same thing everyone else did and that he
thought it best if he shoot me in the ass with a shot of depo medrol. I
was going to have this done but looked into it and found that this
could have led to some new exciting nightmarish complications. At this
point I am scheduled to go to a PT who has some spinal wisdom. Very
disillusioned and suicidal at this point. Please feedback if you have
any ideas!
Thanks for your time, Sean

Q: I feel down on my back on an escalator {1 1/2 year ago)and a
couple of months later my neck would hurt when I turned it to the left.
For 10 months I have had pain in my neck, radiating into the back of my
head and at times, it goes around under my jaw. My neck feels like the
glands under my jaw are swollen. It is much worse when I put my head on
my pillow or any pressure on my neck or my head. It gets still feeling
at night and I have trouble sleeping. I have had MRI's X2 on my head
and they do not show anything in my head. The doctors do not seem to
know and I do not know where to go from here. I have only seen a
Neurologist, who I felt did not take it too serious and thought it was
stress, and I discussed it with my Internist who could offer no further
suggestions. Any help will be appreciated. Lillian

Q: Hello I have been looking for a back pain site like this for a
while, so thanks for having it. I was injured in Afghanistan in
September 07 from a collision of a HmmV I slammed Forward hit the
steering wheel, and the seatbelt caught and slung me back into the Seat I
immediately felt pain down my R lower back and into my piriformis
region. I have been dealing with my pain for over a year now and I'm
currently walking with a cane- Problems as follows... Groin pain when i
move my right leg any to the inside or even standing where my hip &
leg is where my toes are pointed forward Chronic low back pain problems
sleeping standing walking even sitting I've had this problem for a while
and doctors are trying to diagnose it as piriformis syndrome, but I've
had the injections, physical therapy, even nerve block and put on many
medications and to no prevail, and the MRI's and X'rays are negative so
if u could point me the right way id be much appreciative. Jason

Q: HI MY PROBLEM IS CERVICAL MY RIGHT REAR SKULL BELOW MY EAR
THROBS MY PALMS ARE ON AND OFF NUMB SOMETIMES MY FEET ALSO BOTH NUMB MY
HIPS PSOAS AND QUADRATUS LUMBORAM FELL APART ABOUT 4 WKS AGO BUT I READ
HOW TO RELEASE MY PSOAS AND IT SUBSIDED I AM WAITING FOR MRI RESULTS AND
DO NOT WANT TO HAVE SURGERY ON MY NECK...YES I AM SCARED....REAL SCARED
MY GUESS IF I PINCHED A NECK NERVE WHEN I WORKED OUT IN THE PAST I TAKE
SOMA OR ATIVAN OR VICODIN DEPENDING...4 DAYS AGO MY HEART RATE WAS
STRANGE I FELT DIZZY AND MY RIGHT EAR WAS MAKING A BEATING SOUND WENT TO
ER DR SAID GET MRI AND GAVE ME ATIVAN...SLEEPING IS A BATTLE AND
STUDYING FOR SCHOOL IS WORSE...IT FEELS LIKE CONSTANT TENSION IN THE
NECK...AFRAID TO WORKOUT OR PHYSICAL THERAPY...BUT NOT WORKING MY NECK
IS ALSO MAKING MY NECK WEAKER..I HAD A LUMBAR SURGERY WHEN I WAS 16 NOW I
AM 44 AND THE THOUGHT OF ANOTHER SURGERY IS SCARY....WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I FEEL HELPLESS AND I UNSURE ABOUT MY CHIROPRACTOR MAY HURT MY NECK
MORE...I DID
HEAR THAT AN UPPER CERVICAL ADJUSTMENT COULD WORK BUT STILL NOT
SURE...ANY ADVICE WOULD BE TRULY APPRECIATED...DAVID

Q: I am interested in buying your book. Do you treat back-pain
is as a TMS problem, and if so is the treatment different than Dr. Sarno
teaches? Thank you, James

Q: I don't know if you remember me, but we had talked through
e-mail months ago before my first back surgery. I had a broad based
herniation at L4-L5 with a pinched nerve and a year of severe Sciatica.
P.T. didn't work, Chiropractor didn't work, Cortisone injection didn't
work, nothing worked because so much of the disk was slipped and
pressing on my nerve. So I had a Microdiscectomy on May 1 of this year,
and things got better for a little while, but then they slowly got worse
again a month or so later. My 2 week post op check up my surgeon told
me I had DDD, not just a herniation. She said the disc was all dried out
and there was no cushioning left, and it was losing disc height between
the vertebrae. A month or so after surgery was when all the pain came
back. We scheduled my anterior/posterior fusion for October 16. But in
September I reherniated my disc bending over, and pinched the nerve so
bad my I had near foot drop in my right leg. I couldn't lift my toes off
the ground, I couldn't stand on that heel, couldn't bend my foot back
very far at all. I couldn't drive without lifting my thigh off the seat
to get my foot to let up on the gas, so that week I saw my surgeon and
she said that the next day we either had to do another MicroD, and then
reschedule my Fusion for 6 weeks later, or try to move my Fusion up. She
called the Vascular surgeon right there and asked him what dates he had
free and at what hospital and they switched their schedules around so
they could take me the next morning. So 14 hours later I was being taken
into the O.R. Right when I woke up in recovery, they tested my strength
in my right foot, and it was a huge improvement. I could actually hold
it up somewhat while they pressed down on it. The day before when she
did that I couldn't hold my toe up for anything. They didn't want to
leave the pressure on the nerve for another 3 weeks until my scheduled
fusion because of the risk of permanent nerve damage and possibly
paralysis of the muscles in that leg/foot. Being only 22, they didn't
want to take that risk and have me end up with a bum right leg for the
rest of my life. At this point, 2 months post op, my right leg is just
as strong as my left again. I have no more shooting pain down my back...
I have mild Sciatica, but it came back a month after surgery... They
said it was common and not to worry about it, and I haven't, hasn't
gotten worse or anything. I get to start physical therapy and I'm really
excited. I did Aquatic physical therapy after my MicroD but it didn't
help. This time I'm doing real P.T. I have Cervical issues, Stenosis,
bone spurs, and an irregular curve, and sometimes it acts up and I get
shooting pain down my arms and what not, so they're gonna have me work
on my neck in P.T. too. Traction exercises. I have a herniated T11-T12
disc, as well, which I didn't know about until recently, even though
it's been there all along. I still get pain in that area, stretching
across to the right side in a horizontal line, when I do things with my
arms out in front of me, like fold laundry. But these things are
minimally compared to my L4-L5 issue, and I am SO glad I went through
with the surgeries. Waking up was the most pain I ever felt in my life,
having been cut through the front and my organs all moved to the side,
the cages screwed in, with a radical discectomy (they took every speck
of disc material out, since I herniated in that area twice... And she
also had to remove the disc fragment that was stuck in my ligament, they
incised the ligament and took it out, then removed scar tissue from my
L5 nerve root... And then flipped me over and put the rods and screws
in. I only had to stay in the hospital 4 days, on Dilaudid and Valium,
because the Morphine PCA pumps NEVER work for me. They upped it 5
times.. To the maximum dose and it wouldn't work. Dilaudid is the only
thing that does. So I was on that for the first two weeks home, 4mg
every 4 hours, and Valium 3x a day. Now I'm back to my regular 15mg of
Percocet every 4 to 6 hours, and Valium once at night... Which I have to
stop taking the Valium when I start P.T. I told you I would keep you
updated on what I chose to do and how things turned out.

I also asked my physical therapist, a physician's assistant, and
my Neurosurgeon about Psychosomatic pain. They explained a lot about it
to me, but told me that there are ways to diagnose it, and ways to tell
the difference between the two. I, of course, wouldn't understand all
the diagnostic terms, but they basically told me that in general, people
with with Psychosomatic pain don't ever consider that it could be a
possibility for them. Also, in my case, I asked them about it because I
wanted to know if there was a chance that could be my problem, but they
said that all my complaints and feelings of pain matched up perfectly
with my x-rays, MRI's, P.T. evaluations, and regular check ups at the
N.S.'s office. I think for me the biggest factor is the success of my
surgery. I feel my muscles being tense and my range of motion gets more
and more limited from the lack of use of the muscles.. No bending,
lifting, twisting after surgery. But now that I am cleared for P.T. I
can't WAIT to start. I requested to start now. I can't take nerve pain
medication because I'm on Wellbutrin SR (which works AMAZING). So, I am
excited to see how much stronger I feel and how much better my ROM with
be after therapy. I'm supposed to go three times a week for 6 weeks,
then do stuff at home. Can't wait! I will update you more once I start. I
was also told there's a good chance that my L5-S1 disc will go, since
I'm so young, and have many years left, God willing, with my spine, and
with the added stress from the Fusion above it, it could be 2 years from
now, could be 20. A lot of it depends on how well I do in physical
therapy and how ergonomically I choose to live my life. They'll teach me
those things in therapy. Sooo... That's about it.
Not sure if you will have the faintest idea who I am, or of talking to
me, but I didn't forget to update you like I said I would! Laura

Q: I am 16 days post fusion surgery after trying every therapy
imaginable, chiro, massage, physical, laser, and acupuncture. The pain
in my back and legs and feet was at times unbearable. Not only did I get
a second opinion but also a third before giving into the fusion. I'm
scared, I'm a mom with six children and don't know what the future holds
for me. If you have any advice about anything please please give it to
me. Thanks for your time, Tasia.

Q: sir, i suffer from shoulder pain along with right hand fully.
ensuring the cervical problems thru MRI SCAN , But there is no major
problem at all. but since 4 years it is still paining . give me any idea
to recover. d.venugopal

Q: Hello, I suffer from back pain and have since my early 20s.
Now at 38 it seems to be a daily thing to deal with. If it isn't in my
neck it's in my hip and down my leg. It's always somewhere! I go to
chiropractic therapy and have even tried acupuncture, with little or
minor improvement. Maybe a string of good days here and there. Nothing
really works except Advil or Aleve to offset the pain. I'm interested
in reading the Sarno book, but if there is something better that you
would recommend, I'm listening. thanks for your help, love the site and
your honesty. Brian

Q: I am looking for info to present to the VA concerning
establishing a link between previous back surgeries to now shoulder
problems. Glenn

Q: Hello, I was skeptical of your method and did not want to buy
book. However, son bought for me anyway and I am so sorry to doubt.
Book is great and I really think it help me so much. I thank you and
will tell all friends about book. All my doctor could not help, but
book is much better. Thank you, Vladimir

Q: I was involved in a head on collision in March of 2007. It
was not my fault. The airbags did not deploy in my car so my head
slammed into the steering wheel and then bounced off. Ever since the
accident I have been experiencing a constant "ache" in my upper back
(between my spine and shoulder blade). I received all the "normal"
treatment: physical therapy and chiropractic care. I was then sent to a
pain management doctor who performed all the "normal" tests: nerve
blocks, emgs, steroid injections, nerve ablations, and ultimately
discography. The discography showed radial tears in my C4-5 and C5-6
discs. The C5-6 disc is the one we are focusing on. Now i am faced
with a decision. I can either have a neuroplasty to try and remove the
torn ligaments/scar tissue, or I can have neck surgery to remove/fuse
the discs. I am 25 years old, have trouble sleeping, lifting, and
pretty much everything else. However, one doctor is telling me to have
the neuroplasty, while the other is suggesting surgery. I was hoping
you could offer me some advice as to which is better at this stage in my
treatment. Amanda

Q: Hello, I'm a 25 yr old otherwise healthy male. I fell on my
back 4 yrs ago and have had increasing sciatica since. Several months
ago I provoked my back worse than ever and had back pain for the first
time which radiates out like painful electricity. Now this sensation has
spread to fill my entire upper body on both sides: face, arms, neck,
shoulders, the entire length of my spine and partway down my legs. I
have no disc herniations on MRI and no spinal lesions showing up either
so MS is unlikely. I am beyond frustrated with my body and overwhelmed
with the constant pain from this undiagnosed injury. Have you ever heard
of something like this?? I honestly don't know how long I can endure
this pain. Thank you, Matt

Follow up: So do you believe actual physical injury can occur
since obviously the body tears and breaks in many cases. I'm curious how
can you differentiate between mentally induced and true injury? Matt

Q: I had thoracic surgery from T3 to T6 for a recurring
spontaneous cerebro-spinal fluid leak. The surgeon had to remove the
spinous process to get access to the dura. He obviously had to cut
through muscles. This operation was over 7 years ago. I still suffer
from extreme upper back pain at the operation sight. I was very strong
and fit at the time. Do you have any advice, i have tried some physio
therapy but it did not help. Should i invest in a some support gear? Do
you have any suggestions? karin

Q: if a person has more than just pain in the back and down the
leg and is experiencing tingling nerve sensation in the feet and around
the ankle can the approach you suggest work,I do understand just not
recognizing the pain can and does work,but can there actually be mind
over matter being that there is an actual physical problem caused from a
old injury. Brian

Q: Hi, I have read your book "Cure Back Pain Forever". I have
been applying your cure and believe in them. I just have one question,
once you are free of pain will the subconscious mind still try to
protect with pain, if stressful times come in play?
Robert

Q: I saw Dr. Sarno in 1984 for back pain ie. 25 years of drugs
for relief of lower back pain and was "cured" in 1 hour. I am now
suffering form leg cramps which can be severe at times. Is this directly
related to TMS? Dave

Q: Hi there, I wonder if you can help me. My boyfriend and i
have a cleaning business. About a year after it was up and running, he
started to suffer from chronic lower back pain. This was right at the
bottom of his spine and round about the right hand area. For nearly a
year now he has been told all sorts of different things. Spondalaeu was
the first, then his weight was to heavy from another, which i can
assure you is not the problem. He has been treated with acupuncture,
Reiki, seen by a very expensive osteopath and also a top man who treated
many of the rangers football club lads, in order to sort out any
injury's. None has helped and none have ever really given a straight
answer to what the problem is. The reason for this in my opinion is
that no-one actually knows. He lives on tramadol and bruefen every day.
He is chalk white some times and dizzy with pain. He has stopped work
for rest and as soon as he steps one foot out the door with any
swinging, pushing or
pulling movements, its right back to square one. he has private health
insurance which will not cover him for an MRI. I don't really
understand the politics with this, as i suggested the NHS but that also
was causing a problem due to private medical care. More to the actual
point though. About 2 years ago my boyfriend was diagnosed with viral
meningitis. He was taken to hospital with fluid in the brain and a
headache to knock you out. The doctor then tried and i must stress the
word tried to give him a lumber puncture, he made several attempts,
failing each time, his back was a mess. the doctor eventually got it in
and that was that. Now my query and also concern is that by any chance
could that incident in any way have affected his back? Severed tissue
or cut into muscle or nerve ending's leaving an unhealed wound that will
cause him nothing but excruciating pain? Could this be the cause? He
is in utter agony all the time, even relaxing back rubs are painful. I
also
wondered if strengthening the muscle by lower back exercise's might
help? I am really at a loss, so is my boyfriend. Please could you help
us in any way or point us in the right direction. I would hate for
this to be a medical mistake and he is left to suffer the consequences.
I have read of a woman who had a failed epidural and suffering lower
back pain for the rest of her life. I would hate for this to happen to
my boyfriend, but would also be glad to at least know. Thank you for
your time, i most appreciate it. Hope to hear back soon and i am very
sorry about my spelling and grammar. yours faithfully, Linda

Q: Are there any side effects after having a steroid injection for coccydynia ? Duncan

Q: I went to the doctor. she said I had something related to a bulging disk. what is that? I did it at work. Mechanda

Q: I have cramps in the middle of my back. When I stand for a
period of time my middle back cramps to the point that I have to lay
down. One dr. put me on muscle relaxers for the cramps but I still get
them. I am now having a burning sensation in my back. In the lower area
where it would hurt if you had a kidney infection. Sometimes the burn
radiates around to the left side on down the buttock area. I was
recently in the hospital and my kidney function is fine. I have seen 2
doctors and they don't have any idea of what is causing it. Do you have
any idea of what may be causing it? If I were to go to a specialists,
what kind do you think I should see? Pat

Q: HI,MY NAME IS RACHEL AND I HAVE READ YOUR BOOK AND DR. SARNO'S
BOOKS TOO. I DO BELIEVE THAT I HAVE TMS AS I EVEN NOTICE THAT WHEN I
WORRY EXCESSIVELY OR DOUBT THE REASON FOR MY PAIN OR FEAR IT OCCURRING I
FEEL PAIN ALOT. HOWEVER, I KEEP ON HEARING AND SEING DIFFERENT
DIAGNOSIS'S WHICH MAKE ME OVER THINK THE WHOLE PAIN PROBLEM AND CAUSE ME
TO WORRY TOO MUCH. FOR EXAMPLE, A DOCTOR HAS MADE A VIDEO ON THE
INTERNET (ON YOU TUBE) SAYING THAT EMOTIONS DO NOT CAUSE THAT MUCH
CHANGE WITHIN THE PHYSICAL BODY AND HENCE NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE PAIN. WHY
DO DOCTORS NOT KNOW ABOUT TMS? IT MAKES ME FEEL SKEPTICAL SOMETIMES, BUT
I HAVE BEEN TO EVERYONE THERE IS TO GO TO FOR TREATMENT AND NO-ONE HAS
FOUND ANY REAL PHYSICAL PROBLEM WITH ME. I EXPERIENCE SHOOTING SCIATIC
PAINS DOWN MY LEFT LEG AND TWINGES IN MY LEFT HIP AND LOWER BACK REGION.
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT POOR POSTURE OR OVERPRONATION CAN CAUSE THIS? I DO
NOT THINK IT CAN REALLY, BECAUSE IF IT DID WOULDN'T EVERYONE BE IN
INTENSE PAIN ALL OF THE TIME. ALSO, I FEEL PAIN IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS
AND I HAD V11 MONTHS OFF FROM MY RUNNING AND MY PAIN NEVER WENT AWAY.
PLEASE CAN YOU JUST CONFIRM TO ME THAT THIS IS TMS, BECAUSE I DO NOT
KNOW ANYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND MOST PEOPLE DO NOT SEEM TO THINK THAT
THE MIND CAN CAUSE SUCH PAIN., THANKS, RACHEL

Q: I'm a 72 yr old male,and had a serious lower back/left leg
pain incidence (first time). I ended up in the ER of our local hospital.
After exam and pain meds I returned home. When I first tried to walk ,
at home, I fell straight down several times...my left leg just gave
away. I am now trying to walk every day to regain the (squat) muscle.
Can TMS seriously impact a muscle in this way? Seems like I really do
need PT in addition to redirecting my mind. My lower back pain has
subsided a bit, but something is seriously wrong with the leg. Thanks
for your help! Bill

Q: Thank you for all your dedication to this amazing website. I
have an incomplete spinal cord injury from my job as an RPN in a
hospital. I have been in a wheelchair for 6 years and I am 38 years old.
I am grateful everyday for my beautiful life but I can't help thinking
that there is something more that could help me walk again.I need to try
but none of my doctors have answers. I am extremely interested in the
stem cell treatment and sent my email to a (stem cell research center).
please tell me your thoughts. Yours Truly, Patricia

Q: please could i be explained what it is RATZ CATHETER INJECTION
and for what kind the pain that can be used.will that work for sciatica
pain,neuropathy pain.? Margaret

Q: A month ago I lost feeling in my left foot along with foot
drop, it was sudden, while driving. I drive a bulk tank truck locally
in Houston Tx. Three weeks after the injury my neurologist found a
problem in my L5 and has scheduled an MRI. Workmans comp has denied a
claim as i can not provide a specific accident to cause this injury. I
have not fallen twisted or done anything to injure myself. I was off two
weeks of the three mentioned. Within days after returning to work i
started having lower back pain while driving, which i did not have at
the time of the injury. I continued to work, but the pain increase as i
drove but was relieved when i got out of the truck. I did some
investigating of the seat in the truck and found the lumbar support and
seat back to be broken. The lumbar support was pushing out on the seat
only on the left side. I retracted the lumbar support so that the seat
back was flat and more even across and that has cured the extreme pain
while i drive. I
still have the foot drop and numbness. I do not know how long this seat
has been broken but the truck has only been in service for 14 months
and the warranty is out on the seat. I have contacted the insurance
company and informed them of my findings and they have said the claim
will still be denied. I need to know if there is anyone i can contact to
have this seat inspected to verify that it is broken and the cause of
my injury without allowing the company to remove it and have it come up
missing. Tim

Q: hi , i am 18 years old and i am getting really bad back pains
in my upper back and also get chest pain at the same time sometime. when
the pain comes it is not just normal pain it is really bad pain. I get
the pain at night when i am asleep which wakes me up. i have been so see
my GP and am now waiting for the spinal clinic to contact me, but i was
just wondering if you had any ideas what would be causing this and any
ways which would help me relieve the pain. please contact me back Aaron

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